Switch-operating mechanism



March 4 1924.

l. K. im'xoNl SWITCH OPERATING MECHANISM,

Filed NOV. 3, 1925 other.

Patented Mar. 4, 19.24.

srra

ISRAEL x. DIXON, or JoHNsTowmrnNNsYm-IANIA.

SWITCH-OPERATNG MECHANISM.

Application led November 3, 1923. Serial No. 672,552.

To all whom t may concern. A

Be it known that 1, IsRAEL K. DIXON, a citizen of the United States, andresident of Johnstown, in the county of Cambria and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful improvements inSwitch-Operating Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to tongue switches and more particularly to theconnecting rods used to connectthe switch tongues to the switchoperating mechanism, and has for its object the provision of an improvedconnecting rod vfor switch tongues composed of two parts arranged endfor end and connected by an improved form of joint Vadapted to permit atransverse and vertical movement of the parts relative to each Anotherobject is to provide a connecting rod composed of two parts arrangedend-for end and connected by a novel form of joint free from boltsor'nutsQ and, therefore, not liable to become loosened in service.

A further object is lto provide a novel form of connecting rod of theclass vdescribed having the novel construction, design, and combinationof parts hereinafter described in detail and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. c

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan, showing a switch operatingmechanism constructed and arranged and applied for use on a switchstructure in accordance with my invention, the cover plate being removedfrom the operating mechanism for clearness.

Figure 2 is a sectional elevation taken on the line II--H of Figure 1.

Figure'3 is a sectional elevation taken at right angles tol Figure 2 onthe line III-IH of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the spring pressed rockermembers.

Figure 5 is a perspective View of one of the toggle arms.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of the forward end of the connecting rod.

Referring more'particularly to thedrawings, the numeral 2 designates theswitch body of a tongue switch of a type adapted for use on streetrailways. The switch body is provided in its upper faceY with alongitudinal recessf3, in which the switch tongue 4- is pivotally.mounted or positioned. The tongue 4 is pivoted at its heel on one end,in the recess 3, and the switch point on the opposite end of the tongueis arranged to swing sidewise from one side to the other of the recess 3against the sides 5 'and 6 of the recess 3.

The switch tongue connecting rod forming my invention being adapted foruse with anyV of the known switch constructions, the switch is not fullyillustratedr or described in detail. v Y

A switchV tongue operating mechanism is enclosed in arectangularv hollowmetal box or casing 8 having an open top side normally closed by a coverplate 9, and secured to the switch body'by means of bolts 7 7.

A second box or casingv 10 is mounted within the box or casing 8. Thebox 10 is provided with integral lugs 11 which project outwardly fromthe side faces thereof, andl are provided with screw threaded aperturesadapted to-receivethreaded adjusting,

rods or bolts 12. The bolts 12 are journaled in bearings 13 on the endsof the box 8 and are provided lwith squared portions 14 adapted to beengaged by a suitable tool when it is desired to rotate them. The box 10is moved longitudinally of the bolts 12 and relative to the box 8 byrotation of the bolts 12,V since the lugs 11 serve as nuts on the bolts.l y

The box 10 is provided with rocker arm supporting lugs 15 which projectinwardly from the side' face of the box which terminate at their innerends in jaws 16.

Rocker arms 17. are mounted between the jaws 16 and are adapted to havea horizontal rocking movement. The arms 17 comprise forwardly projectingspring bearing portions 18 and rearwardly projecting toggle'y armbearing portions 19. Y

A coil spring 20 is mounted between the portions 18 of the rocker arms17 and tends to Nnormally rock the arms about their vertical axis, so asto force the toggle bearing 'portions' inwardly toward each other.

A pair'of toggle arms 21 are arranged horizontally within the box 10,one of which is in engagement with each of the rocker arms 17. The innerends of the toggle arms 21 terminate in cylindrical bearing portions 22adapted to fit within and engage against Isu each other through anoutwardly flaring aperture 23 in the inner end or head 24 of .aconnecting rod, the other end of which is connected to a downwardlyprojecting lug 25 onv the lower Jface of the switch tongue.

The connecting rod is composed or two parts or sections 26 and 27arranged end 'for end. The outer part 'or section 27, which is connectedto the lug 25 on the switch tongue,

is provided with an integral head 23 and is passed through an aperturein the lug. A sleeve 29 is passed over the section or part 27 after itis mounted in the lug-25, and a head or nut 30 is screwed 'on theropposite end of the part 27, which is provided with screw threads 3l.The rod part or section 27 is thus held rmly in position. The othersection or rod part 26 is also provided with screw threads 32 and a nut33 is threaded thereon. The nuts 30 and 33 are inthe form of bearingheads and have their abutting faces, which engage each other, curvedtransversely as at 34, so as to permit a transverse or horizontalswinging movement of one rod section relative to the other.

Suitable apertures 35 are formed in theV nuts or heads 30 and 33 at sucha point l that they will cut through the ends of the rod sections 26 and27, and a U-shaped connecting link 36 of cylindrical cross section hasone of its legs mounted in each of the apertures 35, thus forming aflexible connection between the rod parts or sections 26 and 27. One kofthe legs of the link 36 is or" greaterlength than the other, and asuitable locking plate 37 is mounted across the bottom o the legs of thelink 36 by pins 33. The plate 37 is stepped down so as to permit alimited vertical movement of one rod section relative to the other, andthe round cross section of the link permits the rod section to movehorizontally.

It will readily be seen that by forming the apertures 35 so that theypass through the rod sections that the nuts or heads 30 and 33 areprevented from working loose and that there are no screwed connectionsor joints in the whole connecting rod assembly to become loose.

While I have described the switch tongue operating mechanism in detail,it will be understood that I do not wish to be limited thereto, since myimproved connectingr rod may be used with various other kinds of switchoperating mechanisms.

It will also be understood that I do not wish to be limited to thespecific embodiment of my invention shown, since various modified ptormsof connecting rods may be made without departing from the scope of myinvention as defined in the appended claims. n

I claim i switch tongue connecting rod comprising two parts arrangedendl for end,

Lacasse and means connecting said parts adapted to permit a limitedvertical movement of one part of said rod relative tothe other.

2. A switch tongue connecting rod comprising two parts arranged end` forend, and means connecting said parts adapted to permit a transverse`swinging movement and a limited vertical movement of the parts. K

3. A switch tongue connecting rod comprising two parts arranged end forend and provided with apertures adjacentV their abutting ends, and aU-shaped connecting link having its lugs passed through said aperturesto Vconnect said parts;

4C. A switch tongue connecting rod comprising two parts arranged end forend and provided with apertures adjacent their abutting ends, a U-shapedconnecting link having its legs passed through saidA apertures toconnect said parts, and meansw for detachably securing saidV link inposition.

5.` The combination with a switch tongue and operating and retainingmechanism therefor, of a connecting rod for connecting said switchtongue with said op erating and retaining mechanism, said rodbeingcomposed of two parts, one ot said parts having one end secured to0perating mechanismV and the other of said parts having one end securedto said switch tongue, apertured heads on the free ends of said rodparts, and a U-shaped connecting link having its legs passed throughsaid apertured heads to connect said rodparts.

6. The combinationwith a switch tongue and operating 'and retainingmechanism therefor, of a connecting rod for connectimjr said switchtongue with said operating and retaining mechanism, said rod beingcomposed of two parts', one of said parts 'having one end secured tooperating mechanism .and

the other of said parts having'one end secured to said switchv tongue,sai'drods having their free ends screw threaded, bearing heads screwthreaded on each osa-id rods, said heads being adapted to abut eachfother and having their abutting ends rounded so as to permit transversemovement one against the other, apertures formed in said heads and rod`parts, and a U-shaped connecting link having its legs passed throughsaid apertures to connect said rod parts together and also lock saidheads against movement relative to said rod parts.

7. rlhe combination with a switch tongue and operating and retainingmechanism therefor, of a connecting rod for connecting said switchtongue with said operating and retaining mechanism, said rod beingcomposed of two parts, one of said parts having one end secured tooperating mechanism and the other of said parts having one end securedto said switch tongue, said ,rods having their free ends screw threaded,bearing heads screw threaded on each of said together and also look saidheads against rods, said heads being adapted to abut each movementrelative to said rod parts, and 10 other and having their abutting endsroundmeans for detaohably securing said link in ed so as to permittransverse movement one position.

against the other, apertures formed in said In testimony whereof, I havehereunto set heads and rod parts, and a U-shaped conmy hand.

neeting link having its legs passed through said apertures to connectsaid rod parts ISRAEL K. DIXON.

